Sunderland International Kite Festival

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th July 2001
(Page 2 of 3)

Location: Northern Area Playing Fields, Washington, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear.
Organised by: Malcolm Goodman.

Page 1: Rokkaku Kite Fights | Kite Trains | Dragon Kites | Inflatable Single Line Kites
Page 2: Other Single Line Kites | Power Kiting | Friendship Kite | Ray Bethell & Carl Robertshaw
Page 3: European Air Gallery | The Flying Squad | Miscellaneous Corner

Other Single Line Kites

There were many hundreds of single line kites being flown at the Sunderland kite festival, including Carl Robertshaw's Delta Serpents, unusual designs such as this kite showing the north east corner of the Union Jack, a telephone box, and these lovely kite arches.

Power Kiting

The British Buggy Club were on hand to demonstrate power kiting, buggying and mountainboarding. Mike Shaw pulled some good tricks and entertained the crowd, especially when he did a front wheel 'wheelie' and ended up upside down with the buggy on top of him, with his legs in the air! (see the picture at the top of the page)

Friendship Kite

This Friendship Kite has travelled all over the world and is now over 20 years old. It had a very long tail which made a beautiful sight flying high over the kite festival.

Ray Bethell & Carl Robertshaw

Speaking of travelling all over the world, Ray Bethell was in attendance at the festival, flying three kites simultaneously to music. If you haven't seen Ray before then you will be amazed at what he can do. He has been to over 30 kite festivals around the world already this year, he is in his seventies and is deaf, but still manages to co-ordinate the kites flying in time with the music.

Carl Robertshaw demonstrated two and four line kite flying, despite next to no wind he put on superb performances which wowed the crowd.

More pictures on Page 1 & Page 3